There is nothing but terrible news on TV – so I decided it was time to cheer you up and tell you about a little miracle.
Frank, who is eleven, has been talking about going to see the movie Transformers for weeks. He’s my grandson’s best friend.
But he is recovering from Leukemia and a bone marrow transplant and his immune system has been wiped out for now from the treatments. This little guy can’t go anywhere there are a lot of people – like a movie house. He is too vulnerable.
He can have a few friends over to his house. But masks are the requirement even when they are healthy. They have all seen the movie so they tell him about it.
It is not the same.
They all live in a very small town about two hours from Chicago. Everyone knows everyone else there. The owner of the one theater in town is very active in the community. He knows Frank from the Cub Scouts.
At a holiday parade this past weekend, he asked my son Alex about Frank. Somehow, the movie came up in the conversation. They discussed how soon the movie might be on DVD so that Frank could finally see it.
Fast forward a few days.
We were busy having a great barbecue when the phone rang.
“We are going to have a private showing of Transformers for Frank on Tuesday at 9:30 AM. Ask him to bring a few friends. We’ll even have the popcorn machine going for him.”
Newsflash! Just heard the great day happened and the report.
Frank loved the movie and had a wonderful time with his buddies, Julius and Jeremy. He can’t wait for the DVD to come out so he can see it again
After having the theater all to themselves, they were given a tour of the projection room – and wait – full free access to the candy counter. How nice is that?
Somehow the reports of the scandals, the funerals, the governors, the serial killers, the wars – faded away for a while.
What was left was one kind man who I would love to name but he will not permit it.
The story stands on its own without his identity.
And that story is that there are everyday, small business people in the world who care about their community and the people who live there.
We don’t hear about them much. They are not news.
But they are still around.
And one brave little boy who will never forget that.
And perhaps, neither will we.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Very touching story. Thanks for sharing. Very well written.
Reading that caused goose bumps to instantly flash throughout my entire body! Very nice, uplifting story and a good reminder too. Thanks Corinne.
Stephen Hopson´s last blog ..The Art of Shedding the Alter Ego
A beautiful uplifting story Corinne, heavens yes, we need those right now.
Michelle Vandepas´s last blog ..The Shadow Effect Movie Review
A touching story, indeed! So well told by you! Now a challenge for you, C0rinne.
I see a novel here. Why does this little fellow want to see the Transformers?. What took place in his life that makes this move so important to him? What did he take away from the movie that may change his life. Who are his friends? How ’bout his family. The gentleman who rented the theatre and sponsored the candy bar. Is there a story in his life that reveals his motivation for this kind deed? Lots of unanswere questions that can spark YOUR imagination and skillful story telling, Corinne. The world needs scripts and movies like I suggest. You can do it. “Yes You Can” Go for it!!
Dear Reed,
Please. Don’t look for a script from me.
I would not be caught dead in that movie. By me, it is ideal for kids and big kids. I don’t think they have any underlying motives except that they love robots and cars crashing – and lots of noise.
Great for them. They have a lot of fun watching.
Maybe if I were eleven. I am thrilled that Frank got to see it.
Give me a good love story any day.
Corinne,
doesn’t Reed want you to make a movie about the little boy and the ‘friend’ who gave the screening? Certainly a heartwarming love story in there somewhere!
Michelle Vandepas´s last blog ..The Shadow Effect Movie Review
Thank you for the uplifting article about the little boy that wanted to see Transformers. I’m so glad there are still people like the theater owner around!
Michelle said it for me. If not a script, how ’bout a novel. This is NOT a child’s story!
Dear Corinne
That had to be one of your best BBQ;s when you got that phone call. Reading your news about eleven year old Frank’s selfless benefactor, despite all the bad news we hear, sure does make you feel like this planet is still such a great place to be on.
And what a fantastic day for a kid to be given as he handles such a tough road and especially one he could share with his mates.
Movies are such a great things for kids of all ages including me. I am sure the local theatre manager knows that too. As the little guy’s Akela for the day, he would also know about special kinds of kids who can suspend disbelief about cars and robotic machines that incarnate. Hmm!!!
But somehow when kid’s imaginations go into overdrive it is fantastic be there to see it.
We also need to hear more such stories about random kindness, that you correctly say, stand on their own because of they are selfless. Such a great story worth telling!!
Best wishes
Gordon
My dear friends – Michelle and Reed -
I think you are both right.
This is not about a movie. It is a love story.
And perhaps the most wonderful thing about it is that the participants do not want any publicity or credit. It is truly a “Random Act of Kindness.”
I have written four books – but never a novel. Hmmmm.
Hi Gordon -
Nice to see you back here on my blog!
Glad you enjoyed this sweet story. I was thrilled to be so close to it. It made it so much more personal to me.
You have not given us an update on your new interviewing career. How’s the plan going.
This sweet story really is NEWS. At least it is new news.
Millions of these kind stories take place all the time – – but we never hear about them in the media or on the billions of blogs.
I live in a big city and I see “random acts of kindness” all the time – perhaps because I look for them too. They are every here and I hope you report more of them. Thanks , Corinne!
“Random Act of Kindness” There’s the title! Now go for it!
Transformers & Transformation – now there’s a dynamic duo
John Harper´s last blog ..Discovering Food Again
HI Corinne,
I wonder if someone should start charity blog around random acts of kindness. To borrow from some of the comments made already perhaps, “RAOK Transformers” could work as a name.
There must be loads of people with similar great stories that could cause equally unselfish responses by readers to donate to worthy causes and so on. Anyone willing brave the journalese gap and nominate a favourite charity site of course would then make it all work. Mr. Aesop of fables fame, would also be kept working to retain his title to the saying that “No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted”.
Corinne, as to your question about progress on my venturing out as cub-interviewer; the planning is going well. Having completed a written interview with my daughter (for practice), we have now rejoined each other in Oz this week. And based on keeping faith with the fantastic advice you gave me, today we were planning a follow up live interview for next month (audio only).
It is a lot of fun planning but we are also finding it both challenging and intimidating as we realize it will makes us very transparent. In the meantime she has given me a green light to publish my written interview as a post on my blog. That will be soon and I will let you know when.
Gordon Wood´s last blog ..Serious business can still be funny
Dear Reed and Gordon -
Great ideas but someone got there first with that title!
http://www.amazon.com/Random-Kindness-Editors-Conari-Press/dp/1573248533/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247510050&sr=1-1
I had this author on my TV show. Wonderful people. Great publisher.
Wish I had thought of it first. But I am not interested in lawsuits.
But keep those ideas coming!
Can’t wait for your interview coming up, Gordon. It will be fun to hear about and to listen to.
Loved this sweet story! I have a clear picture of the three boys sitting there with popcorn and loving every minute and having the movie house all to themselves. A true love story!
I think that small town America is where most of the real miracles happen. I have experienced many and gotten to know several of the angels among us who silently perform acts of real kindness.
Birney Summers´s last blog ..Save Energy by Driving With Your Dog
Dear Birney and Peg -
Please God that there are angels in small towns and big cities like Peg lives in.
Maybe because small town people are not so anonymous, we hear about them there more often.
I love visiting my son and his family in their small town of 3000. Even the mayor there plows the streets in the winter in his pick up.
(and even unstops the toilets in city hall)
There is always a great story floating around.
But I think I will stay with Peg in a big city. I don’t know what I would do as a single woman there.
Maybe when I get old! (????????????)
Dear Marie -
Yes, I think we can all picture those three little kids eating the popcorn in an empty theater.
I guess what makes this an inspirational story is that it is true.
It is a love story as so many of my commentators have said.
Take something good from this and pass it on.